Magnesioaubertite is a rare, water-soluble hydrous sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary mineral in mine dumps. It is easily identified by its characteristic pale blue color and its association with other secondary sulfate minerals in hyper-arid climates.
Is this magnesioaubertite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch magnesioaubertite with a known reference. Magnesioaubertite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magnesioaubertite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnesioaubertite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, efflorescences.
Often confused with
Magnesioaubertite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside magnesioaubertite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesioaubertite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgAl(SO₄)₂Cl·14H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.05 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Arid Mine Dump Environments, Sulfate-rich Efflorescences
- Typical price
- $50-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find magnesioaubertite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alcaparrosa mine, Chile
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Cerro Pintados, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in arid mine dump environments, sulfate-rich efflorescences country — that is the host setting where magnesioaubertite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcanthite, copiapite, halotrichite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify magnesioaubertite?+
Where is magnesioaubertite found?+
How much is magnesioaubertite worth?+
What rocks look like magnesioaubertite?+
What minerals are found with magnesioaubertite?+
What kind of rock does magnesioaubertite form in?+
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Find magnesioaubertite on the map
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